Since 2010, our world has been spiraling into a state of uncertainty and escalating turmoil. A relentless wave of overlapping and unstoppable events has left both the mind and soul struggling to process or reorganize them. Whether personal or global, these events impact everyone, transcending borders and social categories, forcing humanity into direct confrontation with the ever-unfolding chaos around us. This state of instability is largely driven by rapid advancements in communication technologies. While these tools enable the instant transmission of information, they also generate contradictions and confusion, making the future feels increasingly obscure and unpredictable. The critical question remains: where is our planet headed? Are we witnessing a transformation toward renewal and change, or are we moving toward deeper fragmentation and disintegration?
In my work, I explore this theme of planetary rupture, envisioning the creation of a new world emerging from these transformative shifts.
Aliaa Elgready
This sense of unease about the future is deeply embedded in Aliaa Elgready’s artistic practice. Her work reflects an ongoing fascination with the intersection between reality and fantasy, as well as the fragmentation of perception. She believes that myths and superstitions often stem from truth, and this belief fuels her artistic inquiry. Drawn to the mysteries of human imagination, she is dedicated to unraveling its complexities and decoding the hidden narratives within.
Elgready does not simply pose questions—she visualizes them through unconventional techniques. Rejecting traditional painting methods, she intricately weaves her forms across the canvas, creating layered compositions where details, colors, and materials converge. A defining feature of her work is the role of the line, which serves as a fundamental element in structuring relationships within the artwork. Through various weaving techniques, she establishes a dynamic interplay of threads, defining the spaces between different elements.
Her embroidered compositions invite us to perceive these spaces as vibrant visual landscapes, where colors and lines intertwine. Elgready’s works encourage viewers to engage actively, allowing them to construct their own shapes from the intersecting lines—much like how the human mind finds patterns in random scribbles or markings on a wall. Each artwork becomes an interactive space, fostering a dialogue between the artist and the viewer. Within these intricate lines, hidden mythical worlds emerge, waiting to be discovered. Yet, what makes Elgready’s work particularly compelling is its tactile quality. The embroidered elements seem to extend beyond the canvas, as if reaching out to the viewer, inviting them to explore through touch. Running one’s fingers across the fabric’s undulating textures and intersecting threads evokes a deeply immersive experience—one that feels as though the artwork itself is whispering its stories.
Elgready’s artistic practice is part of a broader, more ambitious project aimed at reexamining established concepts and assumptions that shape our relationship with the contemporary world. Elgready views art as a tool for social transformation. She has spent years developing projects that promote social awareness, particularly by empowering women in marginalized communities. Her creative contributions have gained international recognition, earning her prestigious awards and grants, solidifying her position as a leading figure in Egypt’s contemporary art scene.
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